Page 81 of Midnight Escape

Justin gave a slight nod of understanding. His “Yeah” left Danny wondering why he didn’t sound happy.

“It’s about time.”

“Sorry I couldn’t move faster,” Justin said.

“You did what you had to do.”

“You know, all this time I worried you blamed me for Dad’s death.”

An unsettling feeling dropped into his gut. “At first I did. Then I got the facts.” He’d kept that anger for too long.

“I heard about the kidnapping and all. You’ve been a busy boy.”

Yeah, he’d been busy. In more ways than one. “Did you hear she rescued herself?” Pride infused his voice.

“I heard you flew. Just like Dad.”

In the past, when he was taking courses or training, Danny would bristle when Justin said that. But Justin hadn’t been the problem; Danny’s disappointment was because he should’ve finished his flight training before his father had died. He wanted his dad to have seen him as a pilot.

“Yeah.” That was all there was to say about it.

Moira approached them, and Justin got up for his turn with the DEA agent.

“All done?” Danny asked, knowing she was unless the agent had asked for more.

“Yes. I’m hungry. Can we get something to eat on the way home?”

“Sure.” He loved this woman so deeply it almost hurt. He had to find a way into her heart. He couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving.

Realizing they had plenty of privacy, Danny decided to push his point. “Come here.” Before he fully opened his arms, she’d launched herself at him. He inhaled her scent and knew she’d ruined him for other women.

Taking the biggest leap of his life, he gave her body a tight squeeze and lowered his voice near her ear. “We’ve been good together, haven’t we?”

A rub on his chest was her response.

Moving his hand up and down her back to help relax her, he put his chin on the top of her head. “I know it’s only been a few months, but I want to spend more time with you. I want you to stay here. With me.” He needed her with him. He had to find a way for them. Otherwise, his heart would never recover.

Pulling her head back, she looked at him. “As lovers?”

He cleared his throat, hoping to wipe away his nervousness. “I see us getting married in about six months. I’d like it sooner, but I hear women need time to prepare.”

She searched his eyes. “My home?”

His forefinger traced her cheekbone with a featherlight touch. “We’ll take care of your Visa after you marry me.”

With a tremulous smile, she said, “I know, but—”

Her argument shoved a jagged knife in his heart, tearing it to shreds and leaving him sick to his stomach.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

As Moira climbed the stairs to the studio, she silently asked herself,how do I come to terms with what my brother did? He handed me over to the bad guy.Then she thoughtfully added,to save the life of his lover and unborn child.

She remembered growing up with Declan as her hero. He’d saved her from monsters under her bed, had kissed her wounds like hermam. He’d snuck her cookies when she’d broken her ankle, and he’d pulled Donovan O’Leary off her when his advances went too far. He was always there to love and protect her.

In her heart, he could do no wrong. And until recently, he never had. As far as she knew. Although he had already planned for her to leave Ireland with him and Diana, without informing her.

What a dilemma he must’ve faced then. Stop loving Diana or leave all he knew and uproot all he loved for their safety?

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